Tag Archives: Japan

Review: Mary and the Witch’s Flower (2018)

The first from Studio Ponoc – created out of the ashes of the now-shuttered legendary Studio Ghibli – is rather slight, but an impressive start. My review of Mary and the Witch’s Flower is now up at Rogerebert.com.

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January 2017 Viewing Diary

Conspiracy (2001; d. Frank Pierson) The definition of “the room where it happens”. The awful room where something vile was decided. The TV movie starring Kenneth Branagh (so excellent) about the Wannsee Conference. It’s superb. Based on the one surviving … Continue reading

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December 2016 Viewing Diary

Supernatural, Season 7, Episode 22, “There Will Be Blood” (2012; d. Guy Norman Bee) I had started a re-watch of Season 7 in November, so I finished it out this month. Season 7 was one of my least favorites, when … Continue reading

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January 2016 Viewing Diary

“30 for 30” Chasing Tyson (2015; d. Steve Cantor) I love the 30 for 30 series on ESPN but had never seen this one, the story of Evander Holyfield’s pursuit of Mike Tyson. I’ve got a Tyson thing. I loved … Continue reading

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February 2015: Viewing Diary

Two Days, One Night (2014; Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne). My friend Dan referred to the movie as a “Sunday school lesson” and, you know, I can see his point. But I found it absolutely riveting, one of the best portraits … Continue reading

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Year in Review: Running my mouth in 2014

I may write some magnum opus in the next two days, you never know, but here are links to some of the things I’ve written in 2014, here and elsewhere. I have worked hard to keep my site an eclectic … Continue reading

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Review: The Wind Rises (2014); directed by Hayao Miyazaki

“The Wind Rises” is the latest from beloved Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki (it’s nominated for an Oscar) and Miyazaki has also announced it will be his final feature. I saw the version that was in Japanese with English subtitles. There … Continue reading

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Year in Review: Running my mouth in 2013

Some of the things I’ve written in 2013, for my own site, and also other outlets. Thoughts on Memphis. “Memphis is wounded, and Memphis is obviously depressed. There are a lot of sad ghosts here. But Memphis does not forget. … Continue reading

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Ikiru (1952); directed by Akira Kurosawa

Ikiru Directed by Akira Kurosawa How does the knowledge of death change how we live? It is the problem of human existence, the essential problem, that we have a hard time acknowledging the reality of death, and living accordingly. We … Continue reading

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Rotterdam @ BAM: Autumn Adagio (2009; d. Tsuki Inoue)

Originally published on House Next Door: [Editor’s Note: Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) is partnering with the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) to highlight the films in IFFR’s prestigious VPRO Tiger Awards competition (given to first- or second-time filmmakers). A … Continue reading

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